Distracted driving continues to be a significant problem in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, distracted driving is still among the top causes of crashes around the state. In 2020, around one out of every five crashes was linked to distracted driving.
April of 2022 will be the next National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and each year the Texas Department of Transportation takes time to remind people to set aside their devices. Driving requires your full attention, and any distraction could quickly lead to a car accident.
Thousands suffer injuries because of distracted drivers
Statistics show that 2,200 people were serious hurt and another 364 died from injuries related to distracted driving crashes in 2020. Sadly, these crashes are completely avoidable.
Actions like looking down at your phone, sending a text message, eating behind the wheel or doing anything that takes your mind off what you’re doing could be the actions that lead to a crash.
The Texas Department of Transportation wants drivers to learn about distracted driving
To help people better understand distractions and how seriously they may impact their ability to drive safely, TxDOT launched an augmented reality game called “Dart Those Distractions.” This game can be played on a tablet or smartphone and gives drivers the opportunity to see all the different actions that might lead to distracted driving.
Remember, it’s also illegal to drive while distracted in Texas. If someone is stopped and cited, they can face a fine of up to $200. Fortunately, drivers can avoid this fine by paying better attention to the road.
Some tips to help you stay focused include:
- Putting down your phone
- Asking passengers to be quieter
- Avoiding changing your GPS or radio station while in motion
- Not eating behind the wheel
It’s important to pay close attention to the road so that you can help minimize the risk of getting into a crash with another person. If someone isn’t paying attention and does hit you, then you may be in a position to make a personal injury claim and seek compensation from them for failing to pay attention to the road and other drivers.